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Help Portal

Mac Randomization is a new “privacy feature” recently implemented, as a default setting (i.e., we’re not asked), by our friends at Google, Apple, Microsoft. The stated purpose is for our protection from the Internet bad guys – read Apple’s explanation of this unpopular feature.

What is a MAC Address: Every device using the Internet must have a unique hardware MAC address – which is why the MAC is used locate a device on every LAN in the world. Never before has this MAC Address changed on a device making it an important and useful identifier on all Networks.

MAC Randomization: causes a device (usually mobile) to randomly change it’s hardware MAC Address every few weeks.

Issue: when this MAC Address changes on a device your Kibosh Portal has already identified…said device will show up again in the Connected Devices list with a new MAC a new IP address. This change will break any custom Filters or Schedules you’ve applied to that Device.

NOTE: It is technically impossible for any device using a Kibosh product to have an unfiltered Internet. MAC Randomization can break custom Filters and Schedules, but never the Family Safe Internet.

You will encounter this at some point if you use your Kibosh Portal.

Luckily it’s easy turn off, and you only have to do it once per device having the issue.

Unfortunately they have not offered a way to turn this “feature” off globally, yet.

Solution: turn off MAC Randomization on your Kibosh’s WiFi:

How to turn off MAC randomization

iPhone/iPad

    1. Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
    2. Tap the information button next to the Kibosh WiFi (or whatever you renamed it too)
    3. Toggle the Private Wi-Fi Address setting to Off.

Android

    1. Open the Settings app and go to Network & internet > Internet.
    2. Tap the gear icon next to the Kibosh WiFi (or whatever you renamed it too)
    3. Tap Advanced > Privacy.
    4. Select Use device MAC instead of “Use randomized MAC”. 

Windows

    1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.
    2. Select Manage known networks, and choose Kibosh WiFi (or whatever you renamed it too)
    3. Click Properties, and turn off the Use random hardware addresses setting. 

macOS

  1. Open System Settings and click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
  2. Find the Kibosh WiFi (or whatever you renamed it too) and click the three dots or Details button next to it.
  3. Set the Private Wi-Fi Address option to Off. 
Help Portal

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